MINUTES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Tuesday, December 11 2007

 

 

The Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 pm in the Sharon Town Offices with Chairman Walter Joe Roach, Selectman Richard a. Powell, Selectman William A. Heitin, and Town Administrator Ben Puritz

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:11 p.m.

 

BUDGET REVIEW: BARBRA NADLER, SHARON PUBLIC LIBRARY DIRECTOR

 

Ms. Nadler reviewed the level funded budget of $773,403, the +5% budget of $812,073 and the -5% budget of $734,733.  She explained that neither the level funded budget or the -5% budget would provide enough funds for materials to meet State certification requirements and funding. She also presented three other budgets which included various configurations of materials, electricity and maintenance.  There was also discussion about the impact that the Library’s capital outlay request for a new elevator would have on the maintenance budget.

 

CANDIDATE FOR SACRED HEART REUSE COMMITTEE: IRENE MCCARTHY

 

Ms. McCarthy said she has lived most of her life in Sharon on Cedar Park Road which is adjacent to the Sacred Heart Property.  She said she would like to see the pond which is adjacent to the building cleaned up and used as a recreational facility for skating in the winter and rowboats in the summer.  Chairman Roach explained that the building is in such disrepair that it will have to be torn down.  Ms. McCarthy said she is open minded regarding a private-public partnership as an option for use of the site and/or building. 

 

CANDIDATE FOR SACRED HEART REUSE COMMITTEE: RITA FONTES

 

Ms. Fontes said she has lived in Sharon most of her life.  She has been concerned that that the Town has not been using buildings such as the Wilber School and Sacred Heart.  She said she recognizes that the building needs to be torn down and believes that a public private partnership could potentially bring revenue to the Town and that would be a plus.

 

CANDIDATE FOR SACRED HEART REUSE COMMITTEE: STEPHEN CARTER

 

Mr. Carter moved to Sharon just a few months ago.  He is an architect and a city planner who specializes in both restoration and new construction in both the city and suburbs. He feels it is important to look at impact of the project on the surrounding areas and is very sensitive to the concerns of neighbors.  He also believes it is important to access quality vendors.  He would be very receptive to a public-private partnership.  He has served as a volunteer on similar type boards in other communities.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session minutes of November 20, 2007 with the change of “Manage” to Manager” as it refers to Alan Antokal.

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session minutes of December 4, 2007.

 

The Board would like to hold on the Executive Session minutes of November 20, 2007.

 

UPDATE: WILBER SCHOOL GROUND LEASE

 

Chairman Roach asked that this item be postponed until next week

 

BANNER REQUEST

 

VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted to approve the Banner Request from January 14th – January 21st (1st position) for Temple Sinai Event Extravaganza and waive the $25.00 fee.

 

VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining and real property acquisition and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.

 

The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 7:40 p.m.

 

Roach: Aye

Powell: Aye

Heitin: Aye